1To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, January 1795 (Adams Papers)
I take the opportunity of my son’s going to Philadelphia to once more to beg your concurrence in the attempts we are making to remove several disadvantages we at present labour under in this place. A petition to incorporate the town is now I understand before Congress, or perhaps the state of Pennsylvania. This I suppose will pass without difficulty. But what I particuly wish your kind...
2To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, 29 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
You are indeed very kind in expressing your wish to hear from me when all I can do is to ask favours. As You mention your readiness to assist me with respect to arrangements in the Post Office , I will take the liberty to inform you of our situation in that respect. The state Post goes no farther than from Philadelphia to Reading, and Mr Williamson of the Genasee undertakes to carry the...
3To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, 13 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
As I presume you are now at Philadelphia, and I have an opportunity of writing by a private hand, I take the liberty to trouble you with a line, to thank you for the attention you paid to my friend, for whom I gave letters of recommendation to you when I was in England, and to beg your acceptance of a few of my publications, which Mr. Dobson will have directions to deliver to you . In them you...
4To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, 5 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce to you Mr Henrey Wansey, a person of the most respectable character and connexions among the Dissenters. He is also a man of considerable property, and a principal manufacturer, and wishes to establish himself in America. Any information, or assistance, that you can give him, I am confident you will not withhold. My Sons being now with you, I am at length come...
5To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, 20 August 1793 (Adams Papers)
This will be delivered to you by my eldest son, who, together with my youngest, is following their brother from France. They are to look out for a settlement for themselves; and when that is effected, I propose to join them, and end my days with you. You are mistaken if you imagine that I expect anything more than security from open violence, and persecution in other forms, which all who...
6To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, 23 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
Such is the situation of this country, that I fear I shall be too troublesome in recommending to your notice dissenters that are disposed to emigrate and settle on your continent. This letter will be delivered to you by two young men of good character, and fine spirit, the sons of Mr. G. Humphreys, a fellow sufferer with me in the Riot in Birmingham. Many men will also find it necessary to...
7To John Adams from Joseph Priestley, 20 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
I feel myself much gratified, and highly honoured, by the sympathy which you express with me on account of my sufferings in the riot at Birmingham. The same malignant spirit, fostered by our governors, is much more prevalent now than it was then, and shews itself in almost every part of the kingdom, so that I begin to fear the most serious evils from it. Nothing has yet been done towards our...